# NTSB GAA18CA240: Brown Joseph Sportsman GS-2, N454HP, Kalispell, MT, April 24, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 24, 2018, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Kalispell, MT - Coordinates: 47.846668, -113.416946 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8467&lon=-113.4169&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 27, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97134 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA240 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97134/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97134 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA240 ## Probable cause The pilot’s selection of an unsuitable snow-covered airstrip for landing, which resulted in a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Brown Joseph SPORTSMAN GS-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05630XD), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Brown Joseph SPORTSMAN GS-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=05630XD), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Brown Joseph SPORTSMAN GS-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=05630XD), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Brown Joseph SPORTSMAN GS-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05630XD), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Brown Joseph SPORTSMAN GS-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05630XD), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Brown Joseph SPORTSMAN GS-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05630XD), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while en route, he decided to land to inspect the elevator trim. He added that he made multiple passes over a snow covered airstrip and believed the snow to be about 2-3" deep. During the landing roll, the airplane slowed and began to sink into the snow. The pilot attempted to go around, but the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while en route, he decided to land to inspect the elevator trim. He added that he made multiple passes over a snow covered airstrip and believed the snow to be about 2-3" deep. During the landing roll, the airplane slowed and began to sink into the snow. The pilot attempted to go around, but the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N454HP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N454HP-2020-09-04), registration cancelled 2020-09-04, S/N 7336, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BROWN JOSEPH SPORTSMAN GS-2 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Brown Joseph SPORTSMAN GS-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/brown-joseph-sportsman-gs-2) (registry code 05630XD) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-390-A1A6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-390-a1a6) (registry code 41602, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 7336 - Year built: 2011 - Airframe hours: 480 - Engines: Lycoming YIO-390-EXP 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 14, 2018 - Departed: SZT, SANDPOINT, ID - Destination: BTM, BUTTE, MT - Airport: 0S1, Meadow Creek Usfs, runway 17, 2,830 × 100 ft, snow - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 17, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,438 total, 13 in this make and model, 3,045 as pilot in command, 104 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KGPI, 44 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20180424004079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180424004079A), Apr 24, 2018: Brown Joseph SPORTSMAN GS-2, Swan Lake, MT, Substantial damage. Airman attempted a landing at a back country strip made a few fly overs and observed tracks in the snow estimated it to be a few inches think. Airman touched… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97134. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464467&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 2, .PDF, 340 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464468&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.